Vitamin D Deficiency in Pediatric with Thermal Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study

Ardalan  Majidiniya; Marjan Mahdavi  Roshan; Parissa Bagheri  Toolaroud; Mahsa  Sadeghi; Mohammadreza  Mobayen; Mohammad  Tolouei; Ehsan Ghiasy  Nick; Mohammad Ebrahim  Ghafari; Moein Moghaddam  Ahmadi

doi:10.18502/jimc.v9i1.20486

Ardalan Majidiniya Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Marjan Mahdavi Roshan Cardiovascular Disease Research Center, Department of Cardiology, Heshmat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Parissa Bagheri Toolaroud Medical Education Research Center, Education Development Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Mahsa Sadeghi Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Mohammadreza Mobayen Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Mohammad Tolouei Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Ehsan Ghiasy Nick Caspian Faculty of Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Rezvanshahr, Iran
Mohammad Ebrahim Ghafari Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
Moein Moghaddam Ahmadi Poursina Clinical Research Development Unit, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht. Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v9i1.20486

Keywords: Burns, Child, Pain, Vitamin D

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed in children with burn injuries and can influence clinical outcomes. This study aimed to explore the relationship between vitamin D status and clinical results in children with severe thermal injuries.

Methods: This study was a prospective cohort involving 220 children (aged 0–18 yr) who experienced severe thermal burns [≥20% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)] and were hospitalized between July 2021 and October 2022. The participants were categorized into two groups based on their admission 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels: a sufficient vitamin D group (n=110) and an insufficient vitamin D group (n=110). The primary outcome was the incidence of infections. Secondary outcomes included hospital Length of Stay (LOS), the number of surgical procedures, wound pain scores, itching, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood glucose levels, and albumin levels.

Results: Children with low vitamin D levels experienced a longer length of stay (11.43 vs. 10.7 days, p=0.045) and a considerably higher incidence of infections (90.9 vs. 62.7%, p<0.001) compared to children with sufficient vitamin D levels. However, the groups showed no statistically significant difference regarding the number of surgical procedures. Similarly, no significant differences were found in wound pain, pruritus, BMI, albumin, or blood sugar levels.

Conclusion: This research indicated that vitamin D deficiency in children with thermal injury may be linked to a higher risk of infections and extended hospital stays. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and evaluating the possible benefits of vitamin D supplementation in this population requires more research.